Sometimes you get lucky... even at a gun show!

[DGNY]

While we all know that the J frame in its many iterations is a bit of a gem, the early I frames are so well proportioned - and that exemplar snagged and shown to us by the OP, is truly a jewel.

The design, manufacturing, fit and finish are stunning - and shine as a beacon for us today to cherish. As well, its visual form is further confirmation not so much of what we may have lost, but of what is possible.

Thanks!

 

[Green Frog]

A few years back, I went to the Hillsville VA gun show and flea markets. There was an area known as "Gun Hill" and I walked over there. An older man had a nice nickel 3 1/4" .32 HE with the hard rubber grips. I looked it over and asked the price. He wanted either $350 or $375, IIRC. I walked away with it for $325. It shipped in April 1938 and never regretted the price.

Has Hillsvile come back from the Woo Flu yet? I thought I might go, but my gimpy knee said "now way!" Come to think of it, I haven't been since 2017… I didn't realize it had been so long!

Froggie

 

[Muley Gil]

Has Hillsville come back from the Woo Flu yet? I thought I might go, but my gimpy knee said "now way!" Come to think of it, I haven't been since 2017… I didn't realize it had been so long!

Froggie

The crowds were very good this year. I didn't see much activity on Gun Hill this year, so I didn't walk up there. (I've got knee problems too.)

 

[bill-in-texas]

No.
The knobs that were separate pieces from the ejector rods were case hardened whether the gun was blue or nickel. Being such a small part, they don't usually have much color, and just look gray like this one. They are screwed on very tight, and just don't get lost. This gun is right as rain.

Good to know!... I'll file that info away with the hope of one day crossing paths with such a gem.

That thing is just plain handsome!

-Bill

 

[Muley Gil]

Good to know!... I'll file that info away with the hope of one day crossing paths with such a gem.

That thing is just plain handsome!

-Bill

The .32 HE in question has a mushroom head, not a LERK, which is also known as a barrel head knob.

 

[merl67]

What's not to love a brand new 96 year old Smith....

 

[Muley Gil]

What's not to love a brand new 96 year old Smith....

How about a 106 year old Smif?

 

[AC Man]

That looks amazing. How can something like that sit there for two days. Every gun show I attend is the same old recycled junk that is over priced and never sells.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I'm in North Florida but I've had more success finding older S&Ws at the small town gun shows rather than the big city shows. I've had those Saturday gun show trips that result in a semi-sleepless night. So far I've never made a Sunday return, though I've come close. Mostly I learned just to buy on Saturday.

 

[JSR III]

As an old f@r# that has been going to shows for over 50 years, I will tell you a story that happened in my "yout". I had driven 3 and a half hours to attend the Augusta Maine gun show. I liked going out of state because it seemed that you got different inventory when driving a bit.

I'm cruising the show quickly as was my normal procedure. I soon spot 2 Smith and Wesson Lady Smiths in beautiful condition but being new I am not sure of value. I cruise the isles looking for a copy of the blue book and my mentor who had introduced me to S&W's, to confirm numbers. Satisfying my needs I race back to the table only to find some other buyer laying down Benjamin's and walking away with the prize.

Lesson learned. Now if I face a similar dilemma, I ask the seller if he will hold the item for 10 minutes while I check something. Sometimes they ask for a refundable deposit but most often they will do it for free.

Just some advice for any newbie's out there.